birth control + pregnant = ??

[ductapefaerie]

So, I was just wondering, if you were on birth control, and you got pregnant, what effects would the birth control have on the fetus?

Also, when is the earliest a pregnancy test can be used effectively? And why do they always base it around your next period?

[Brandye]

Today's pills are low enough concentration that, if you stop as soon as you find yourself pregnant, there will be no damage to the fetus. On the other hand, we can use some regular birth control pills, in larger concentration, as morning after pills. If you are pregnant, do not continue the pill.

Each pregnancy test kit has directions on how soon it is considered to be effective and gives the incidence of false positives and false negative. I would guess these data are also on their websites. Usually about a week.

There needs to be a baseline time for measurement. The ideal would be ovulation but few of us know precisely when we ovulate. The period is more noticeable. The first "natural indication" that most women have of pregnancy is the missing of a period.

[ductapefaerie]

thanks a bunch, brandye!!